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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2006-05-10, Page 8Page 8 May 10, 2006 • The Huron Expositor When Accidents Happen... Call Mark at :.111..111...� _ �. maim COLLISION REPAIR • CLASS INSTALLATION INSURANCE CLAIMS WELCOME • RENTAL CARS AVAILABLE We use quality ki PONt performance coatings 120 Harpurhey Rd., Seaforth 522-2222 hurch Services You are invited to attend these area churches 1 St. Thomas Anglican Church A Congregation of the Parish of The Holy Spirit Jarvis St. Seaforth 527-1522 R or: The Rev'd Sue Malpus. M. Div Sunday, May 14 Worship at 9:30 am Wed. May 10 - Soup & Salad Luncheon 11:30 am - 1pm Sat. May 13 - ACW Spring Deanery Event 9:30am Tues. May 16 - Rector's Coffee Hours 9-11am Everyone Welcome Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982 Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m. Youth Activities Wednesday 7:00 p.m. B&G Club Wednesday 7:00 p.m. EVERYONE WELCOME NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH 54 Goderich St. W. Rev. John Gould May 14th, 2006 Worship 11:00 a.m. Sermon: The Church's Mission To The Individual Nursery During Worship Adult & Teen Bible Discussion 9:30 a.m. St. James Roman Catholic Church Welcomes you 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am Fr. Chris Gillespie Egmondville United Church Sunday May 14 Worship 11 am Sunday School 10 am Homemade Pie and Perennial Plant Sale - Sat. May 13 from 8 - 11 am EVERYONE WELCOME Steve Hildebrand Lay Pastoral Minister in Training First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W., Seaforth Rev. Henry Huberts Sunday, May 14'h Worship 11:15 a.m. Sunday School & Nursery Provided May 14 - Mother's Day Breakfast 7:30 - 10 am ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH ST. VINCENT de PAUL 81 Mill St. Dublin 29 Nelson St. Mitchell Father Alan Dufralmont Office 345-2972 Mass Times St. Patricks St. Vincent de Paul Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun. 9:00 a.m. Wheelchair Accessible - Everyone Welcome News Federal budget's $1.5 billion for agriculture doesn't end crisis Farmers question how and when aid will be delivered Cheryl Heath aillEmEllim The farm -income crisis is not over. Prime Minister Stephen Harper's May 2 budget announcement, which among other highlights including a 1 per cent cut to the Goods and Services Tau (GST) effective July 1, served up $1.5 billion - $1 billion of which is ear- marked for delivery this year - to address the crisis. And yet, notes Varna farmer Bev Hill, it doesn't spell out how or - when it will be delivered. Hill, who is a member of a grassroots movement designed to draw attention to the ongoing farm -income crisis, says there is a fear that the aid will be delivered been basically operating on a wing and a prayer for govern- ment assistance. And finally, says Hill, many farmers are disappointed by the government's refusal to consider implementing a Risk Management Program (RMP) in spite of repeated requests for it. "It's like the message we've been delivering all winter is falling on deaf ears,"he says. Nonetheless, says Hill, if farmers' concerns that aid is being distributed through CAIS prove correct, and if the federal government fails to act on imple- menting RMP or a reasonable fac- simile, grassroots protests will con- tinue. "We spelled that out loud and clear; that we did not want to inconvenience the public, if it turns out we can't get our mes- `It defies com- mon sense to use this admit- tedly flawed program to deliver badly - needed support investment,' -- Varna farmer Bev Hill through the C a n a d i a n - Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program, which is a system so flawed that some produc- ers are still awaiting pay- ments from two years ago. "It's likely everyone feels the $1.5 billion is certainly welcomed, certainly appreci- ated," he says, but the ques- tion of how the money will be distributed weighs heavily on producers' minds, especially given there is a perception western livestock sector will benefit most from the aid. The fact the Conservatives acknowledge CAIS is serious- ly flawed brings into ques- tion, too, why they'd use it as a delivery method for assis- tance. And, says Hill, the hope is the federal government will use Agricorp to distribute aid to grain and oilseed produc- ers in Ontario. "It defies common sense to use this admittedly flawed program to deliver this badly ,needed support investment," says Hill. The when is a big question, too, says Hill, as many pro- ducers are stretched to the limit credit -wise, and have sage across then so be it," says Hill, vowing more demonstrations will be held. Those demonstrations that could range from anything to blocking food terminals for a lengthy period to blocking fuel distribution centres are being considered, adds Hill. Hill adds that he is remain- ing "hopeful" that an announcement on how funds will be delivered will be made this week. Meanwhile, Steve Webster, a Blyth -area farmer who championed a one-man sit-in at Queen's Park to draw attention to the farm -income crisis, says the farm -income crisis continues. Webster says grassroots movement organizers are cur- rently asking farmers on each concession to nominate two representatives from every 10 farm families to agree to par- ticipate in demonstrations that could last for up to three days' at a time in the weeks to come. He says movement volun- teers are currently waiting for both crops to be planted, and for the government to announce how funds will be distributed before moving for- ward. "Some are a lot more hope- ful than me," says Webster. "We want people to realize - in no uncertain terms - that we're in a crisis." Conrad Bellehumeur, direc- tor of communications for the federal ministry of agricul- ture, confirms some of the funding will be funnelled through CAIS. "It will have to flow through some form of CAIS even though it is our stated objective to change CAIS," he says, noting Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl has already introduced measures designed to improve the pro- gram, including a freeze on demands for farmers to return overpayments. That money, says Bellehumeur, will be interest free until 2007. Bellehumeur says it is pre- mature to speculate on how all of the funds will be dis- tributed given that the bud- get must first be approved by cabinet. And yet, he says there are a number of ag programs in place — like a cash -advance program for spring seeding that is ensuring farmers can continue to operate. And, he says, the federal government's one-time emer- gency funding of $755 million is also helping ag producers. As for the RMP, Bellehumeur confirms it is "definitely something we're looking at," as is crop insur- ance and a "whole spectrum of programs under the Agricultural Policy Framework." He says that in the future, the government aims to be looking at the creation of a more proactive, predictable and responsible system. As for when the aid will flow, Bellehumeur is confi- dent it will be soon. "We recognize that there is an immediate need," he says, noting disaster assistance funds will be made available immediately for those in need, like the flood -ravaged farmers of southern Manitoba. Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle did not return a call for comment.